Osprey Men-at-Arms 396 : Medieval Scandinavian Armies (1) 1100-1300

While Scandinavia's 'Viking Age' is one of the most studied aspects of early medieval history, much less has been published about the centuries that followed. The armies of Sweden, Norway and Denmark offer fascinating differences from the rest of medieval Western Europe, both in their organization and their war gear - due partly to their remoteness, climate and terrain, but partly to their long freedom from the feudal system of other kingdoms. This book explains the special nature of Scandinavian armies, shaped by the relative weakness of kings and aristocrats, and the contrasts between the separate nations of the North. Text by David Lindholm and David Nicolle with illustrations by Angus McBride.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology of Major Events
• The Passing of the Viking Age
• Denmark
  German Influence
  The Feudal System
  The Nobility, and Heavy Cavalry
• Norway
  Trading Center but Military Backwater
• Sweden
  Armies of the Early Baltic Campaigns
  Relations between the Classes
• Armour, Weapons and Tactics
  The Importance of the Crossbow
• Finland
  A Tribal Frontier